Leota M. McLam

Waits River, Vt. — Leota M. McLam, 88, of Waits River, died Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013 at Starr Farm Nursing Center in Burlington, Vt. She was born in East Topsham, Vt. on April 17, 1925, the daughter of Leslie and Ruby (Colby) Welch. She attended school in East Corinth and graduated from Bradford Academy in 1943.

She enlisted in the US Navy on May 7, 1945, signing up for the duration of WWII. She served in Washington DC as Seaman First Class and was honorably discharged on July 23, 1946. Prior to enlisting in the Navy she was a volunteer as an airplane spotter with the Aircraft Warning Service (AWS), keeping watch for enemy planes entering US Air Space.

She married Robert L. McLam of Topsham, Vt. on Nov. 25, 1950. In 1953, they built McLam’s General Store in Waits River. They operated the store until 1970. Robert predeceased her on July 21, 2013, also at Starr Farm. She was also employed at Bowen Hunter Bobbin Mill in East Corinth, Vt. and People’s Bank in Barre Vt.

After selling the store in 1970 she became a full-time housewife and homemaker. Her pride and joy at home were her flower gardens, family gatherings, cooking, freezing and canning garden vegetables, having her granddaughters stay with her and Robert during their summer school vacations and performing do-it-yourself projects around the house and with her daughters at their homes. She also enjoyed spending time with her brother Victor and sister-in-law Evelyn who lived right next door and she was always very close to their children.

Leota is survived by her three daughters, Judy Cheney and husband, Steve of Saint George, Vt., Lois Cote and husband, Armand of Burlington Vt. and Susan McLam of Orange, Vt.; three granddaughters, Krista Cheney of Saint George,Vt., Valerie Cote of Burlington, Vt. and Lynnette Montgomery and her husband, Michael of Lyndonville, Vt.; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her father, mother, two brothers, Victor Welch and Lawrence Welch, very special sister-in-law, Evelyn Welch and nephew, Jerry Welch.

The family gives special thanks to the staff of Starr Farm and the staff of Little Rivers Health Care in East Corinth, Vt. for providing the best possible care a family could ask for.

At her request there will be no calling hours. Private services will be held at a later date.

Donations may be made in her memory to Alzheimer’s Association Vermont, 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 128, Williston, VT 05495.